Schistosomiasis history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Many infections are subclinically symptomatic, with mild anemia and malnutrition being common in endemic areas. Acute schistosomiasis (Katayama's fever) may occur weeks after the initial infection, especially by S. mansoni and S. japonicum.
History
The significant information that needs to focused in the history of the patient includes
- Any history of travel to the endemic areas
- Any ill contact with similar complaints
Symptoms
Clinical manifestations of schistosomiasis can be divided into schistosome dermatitis, acute schistosomiasis (Katayama fever), and chronic schistosomiasis.
Acute schistosomiasis(Katayama fever)
- Acute schistosomiasis occurs 20 to 50 days after primary exposure.
- Malaise, diarrhea, weight loss, cough, dyspnea, chest pain, restrictive respiratory insufficiency, and pericarditis are important symptoms of acute schistosomiasis.
- Mild disease resolves on its own, as the infection progress into an asymptomatic phase, which is often misinterpreted for an effective antibiotic therapy.
- The clinical syndrome (i.e., fever, chills, liver and spleen enlargement, and marked eosinophilia) is specific for ''Schistosoma japonicum'' infection.
- Acute disease is not observed in individuals living in endemic areas of schistosomiasis because of the down-modulation of the immune response by antigens or idiotypes transferred from mother to child.